~by mia makes it

*TAKE A WALK ABOUT IT

most mornings, i take a 15-25 minute walk before i do anything else (including looking at my phone!). this allows me time to wake up and begin my day without the threat of doom scrolling and bed rotting first thing in the morning. i also enjoy taking walks with friends - it is a nice way to spend quality time together and get the blood flowing. research also suggests that walking helps spark creativity.

*PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

we often get caught up in the big picture of life (our $$ goals, career aspirations, etc) that we forget to think about how the clouds are shaped, or how cool bugs look. take time to engage visually with your surroundings ~ you will probably see something new you have never seen before. this is also a grounding technique, so it's a 2-4-1 combo!

*CUT OUT EXCESS

in every aspect of your life, learn to spot what is working and what is falling to the wayside. when you cut those extra things out of the physical, you also declutter the mind. therefore, you can focus and improve upon what is already working in your favor.

*TAKE TIME TO READ

...something other than instagram captions or tweets (x's?). i subscribe to several substack writers + newsletters, read the local news, and read non-fiction books and articles online. i read graphic novels and manga. i also collect zines of all genres. it is important to keep a rotation of reading around you so you never get bored! and, you can brush up all on types of perspectives. 

*FIND INSPIRATION, DON'T WAIT FOR IT

i grew up in a small town with... not a ton going on. moving out would serve as the ultimate inspiration i need, i thought. i would later realize that no matter where i live, the problems i have with myself + my pessimistic worldview would stay the same unless i actively and repetitively challenged those 'normal' thoughts or views. i started finding the magic in everyday (see 'pay attention to the details')

*BE IN SILENCE

i used to constantly listen to music. now i take time in my car or on a walk to be without. either be in silence or listen to the world around me. the bugs, the birds. sometimes that means giving myself uncluttered airwaves to just breathe and allow myself time to reflect on my  ideas or feelings.

*LEARN ABOUT PLANTS

once you learn about how to identify edibles in your planting zone, you open up a whole new world of possibilities! you can learn how to forage food (a.k.a. pick FREE food) and learn about the local ecosystem. for example, i recently discovered countless elderberry trees growing wild in my neighborhood. you can make syrups and jams, and elderberry even has potential healing properties. plus, when you show off your plant knowledge to your friends, they will be impressed. 

*GROW THINGS AND BUILD STUFF

in this world it is understandable to want to metaphorically burn it all down. try to think instead of what you can grow and build. grow some food for yourself and your neighbor. grow your community. grow your library. build a shelf to hold your knick-knacks. build your knowledge!

*LEARN CONFLICT RESOLUTION

community building is important but impossible without conflict resolution. it is easy to block and remain angry but it takes some guts to step back, breath, and try to understand the other side. this isn't something that needs to happen right away, but having the tools ready can allow you to create allies throughout the community. if someone is trying to have a hard conversation with you, that means they care enough to communicate with you. take time to listen. 

*VIEW YOURSELF NOT FOR YOURSELF, BUT IN RELATION TO THE COLLECTIVE

being in community with others is not just good for the overall health of the neighborhood, but also for the self. it won't always be easy, sometimes people have strong personalities or aren't 'neurotypical' but that doesn't mean we should treat them as if they aren't human or as if they don't exist. if you know your neighbor, it's easier to ask for help - borrowing their lawnmower, for example. if you know your neighbor, maybe you could trade your spinach for some of their mangos (see point "grow things" above). if you know your neighbor, it's easier to keep each other safe.

xoxo

<3mia